big Neil

G'day Oz brett, yep cheese is no surprise as we catch Cod on it regularly. I don't subscribe to the theory about the shrimp as Cod take the cheese within seconds of it going in. This Cod must have been starving as it took the bread, yet it was a very healthy specimen for it's length. They are opportunistic feeders and mates have told me of ducks, frogs and potatoes being in their stomach contents. Cheers, Neil.

Went to the Murrumbidgee River yesterday morning to fish for Yellowbelly. I put a couple of shrimp nets in and put a lump of bread dough on each of my 2 rods whilst I waited to catch a few shrimps for bait. Immediately I got a good bite and waited to strike. The rod bends, I strike and feel weight. Naturally I assume I've got a Carp but to my surprise it's a Cod of 50cms. I've never heard of Cod being caught on bread before. Has anybody else heard of Cod being caught on bread dough? Naturally it was returned unharmed to grow bigger. Big Neil.

SMn, I've just bought an Alvey reel and it came with a dvd. One interesting pointer was the recommendation to put your spool of mono line in a bucket of water whilst you spool it onto your reel, under tension. This stops heat from damaging the line and possibly failing at some crucial part of catching a fish. They are great reels and Aussie made too. Good luck, Neil.

Always worth trying any fishing method. U never know what u might get. Good luck. Big Neil.

Ur rod and gear should be fine tho if u get onto Redfin a lighter leader would help catch more fish. A tip: if u get a bite while bottom fishing wind a couple of turns on the reel VERY SLOWLY. This often encourages the fish to gobble down the bait. Good luck. Big Neil.

Hi Gilbey, that wudda put up a decent fight from 200 mtrs... well done. Big Neil.

Hi FoolforJesus, Not sure ur info regarding Carp is correct. My understanding is that they must NOT be returned to the water alive as they are classed as a noxious pest. I, too am from Cheshire, tho it was Lancashire when I lived there (Widnes). Cheers, Big Neil.

Hi Pomey git, simplest for u would be to get earthworms (big uns ,if u can) and fish 1 rod with a running sinker down to a swivel (bottom fishing) and 1 rod with float (where u can vary the depth). There are lots of redfin (English Perch), Carp, Yellowbelly and Murray Cod... all of these will take a pile of juicy worms. Remember that Carp and Redfin cannot be returned to the water live. Redfin are actually a good eating fish. Plenty of fishing in Lake Burley Griffin. Hope this helps. Big Neil.

Wow Roberta, ur an encyclopedia of blackfishing knowledge. Particularly liked ur drawing of the rig...much easier to understand than in-depth wordy descriptions. Many thanks, Big Neil.

Many thanks Hawkesbass and Stapo, some good info there which I shall put to good use soon. Cheers, Big Neil.

What rigs do you use for blackfishing? Braid or mono, wt of leader , float size for estuary fish? I've done some blackfishing from the rocks, a long time ago (prior to braid). Any advice would be appreciated, thanks. Big Neil.

Good advice from Hodgey, I reckon. Big Neil.

Nice one...a few good fish dinners there. Well done. Neil.

What a gr8 account of ur adventure, Roberta. Gr8 effort and Gr8 experience. Thankyou, Big Neil.

Well done Dan. If ur folio is of the same standard u will do very well. I'd like to see some of ur articles presented on Fishraider. Any chance u could do that? Neil.

Hi Chris (Khombi), welcome to fishraider...it's a gr8 site. I live in the Riverina (NSW) and fish in SA each year. Have been to Marion Bay (Wedge Island) and Cape Jervis where we have had plenty of success. We reckon SA is fishing Mecca and are looking at booking for early next year. I'll look fwd to reading ur posts with interest. Cheers, Neil.

A touching report pmak. May your Dad rest in peace while you bond with your sons. Good onya mate. Neil.

Carp are good fun to catch and fight better than most native fish. Pity they're not good on the plate or they would be an asset.. However ,they are a major problem in our waterways and I hope the scientists can help to reduce their numbers, which are at epidemic proportions. Neil.

Nice report Luc and good onya for persisting with ur mate, but that's the kind of guy u r. Keep posting and we'll all follow ur exploits. Cheers, Neil.

Ah ,the intrepid trout stream angler using his skills to trap the wily trout...gr8 video. I'll look fwd to the next one. Neil.

What skilled and dedicated anglers Evi and u are Geoff. Gr8 report, well done.Neil.

Gr8 lizard and well done for releasing her...must have been a real buzz. Neil.

75 mm purple oargee lures work well in the Bidgee. Neil.

What sort of hard bodies did they respond to, Dan? Neil.

I can offer some advise (in case u don't get any offers to show u what to do). Most beaches will hold fish which are feeding on other fish, crustaceans, etc. Check out youTube for how to identify gutters...these are deeper water channels which will usually have fish feeding in them. Basically, the waves form as they hit shallower water beneath them so gutters are identified by the break in wave formation. Best times are early morning and late evening (darkness encourages fish to feed usually). Gang hooks with full pilchards work well but u need to berley regularly. I usually cut a pilchard into 4 then throw these into the wash where I'm fishing, fairly regularly. You really just have to plod on and u will get fish. U can also use a paternoster rig with a full pilchard on a gang hook close to the sinker and maybe have a smaller hook a bit higher up with worms, pippies, or other bait to improve ur chances. Make sure your sinker holds ur bait where you cast and you should get some fish. Fishing is a game of patience...good luck, Neil.